when it was actually time to leave. So I began noticing this, keeping a careful eye on the clock and setting the time to leave 10 minutes earlier. Finally, I changed my language AND corrected (nicely) anyone else who dared to say "She's always late." I no longer say I'm always late and I politely point out to naysayers that that is no longer the case most of the time. This way I'm reinforcing the concept and creating a new habit of on-timeness. We hear (and believe) every word that comes out of our mouths. This is what the world of affirmations is all about it - hearing it is eventually believing it. Then doing it. Thoughts create words create action. REPLACE ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WITH ... But . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .And Must . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Choose, desire, want Try . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Intend, aim, (or drop it altogether) I taught kindergarten through 12th grade art for 23 years and I heard a lot of “I’ll try”. When I heard this, Yoda’s voice would softly whisper “Do or do not. There is no try.” (Sometimes I would say this out loud.) Or point out that saying “I’ll try” means you've already imagined being unsuccessful. So drop try from your vocabulary - your mind will hear you and believe you. Wouldn't you rather conjure up success? More words to drop from your vocabulary: Maybe. (This introduces uncertainty.) I would like to ... (Simply make the statement or acknowledgement - a preface diminishes the statement.) Kind of, sort of, you know. (Unnecessary.) And then there’s the power of “I”. Yes, you, taking responsibility for your world, your situation, your choices. If you really want to put yourself in the driver’s seat of your life, express yourself responsibly and authentically by starting your sentences with I. REPLACE ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WITH .. You make me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I feel angry/sad/afraid when My job makes me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I am frustrated by a job that When you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .When I ... Susan Jeffers, from her book ‘Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway’, puts it another way: moving from Pain to Power. PAIN (Victim) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . POWER “I should” implies you have no choices . .“I could” puts things in the realm of choice. “It’s not my fault ...” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“I am responsible for ...” “It’s a problem.” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“It’s an opportunity.” (You may not see it that way right away.) “I’m never satisfied.” . . . . . . . . . . . . .“I want to learn and grow.” “Life’s a struggle.” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“Life’s an adventure.” “I hope ...” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“I know ...” “If only ...” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Next time ...” “What will I do?” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“I can handle it.”
I’ll-crush-you-with-my-words way but from a peaceful, centered and sure core of trusting yourself. And that’s another key to living a most excellent life.
Annie Gregson is a high-spirited life coach who serves the world with compassion and authenticity, injecting fun into the serious business of creating your life. She is also a printmaker The words we use come from a lifetime of habit. The first step in and freelance artist, exhibiting her etchings in the Glens Falls changing a habit is noticing, then begin practicing changing a area. She brings coaching, art and fun to the Adirondack word here, a word there. Small steps. It may feel awkward at first. retreats and workshops facilitated by The Bona Fide Over time, more empowering words come to mind automatically. Butterflies, standing side by side with Debbie Philp, owner of And as you hear yourself talk with more confidence and power, True North Yoga, and Beti Spangel, freelance writer and legal you will feel more confident and powerful, not in a dominating, secretary. Check it all out at http://www.annegregson.com. # 71 December ‘13—January ‘14 I Healing Springs 23